Super Eagles interim manager Augustine Eguavoen has shed light on the decision to give Gabriel Osho his debut during Nigeria’s recent AFCON qualifier against Benin and the rationale behind substituting him at halftime.

Osho, a Reading-born defender currently plying his trade with Auxerre in Ligue 1, was handed his first Super Eagles start as Nigeria opted for a three-man defense. Eguavoen revealed that Osho’s inclusion was a result of extensive scouting and a need to fill the gap left by the injured Semi Ajayi.

“Gabriel Osho is somebody we have been following, and because of Ajayi’s injury, someone needed to be drafted in. We felt it was time for Gabriel to come on board,” Eguavoen explained.

Despite the initial optimism, the Super Eagles found themselves trailing at halftime. The coach made a tactical decision to shift from a back three to a more attacking formation, replacing Osho with Raphael Onyedika.

“We were trailing by a goal at the end of the first half, and we needed to revert to a back four. I explained to him that he was coming off to allow for an offensive adjustment,” Eguavoen clarified.

The tactical switch bore fruit, as Nigeria managed to improve their play in the second half, though the focus now shifts to their next game against Rwanda on Monday, November 18, in Uyo. With 11 points from five games, the Super Eagles have already secured qualification for the upcoming tournament but are keen to finish the campaign on a high note for their home fans.